Tara Murray
Darley kept its finals hopes alive with an outright win against Buninyong In the Ballarat Cricket Association on Saturday.
It’s been an inconsistent season for the Lions, but the last two weekends they showed what they can do when they put it all together.
Buninyong resumed at 1-9 on Saturday, with a seven run lead.
Buninyong never settled in their second innings and lost frequent wickets throughout, with no partnership more than 30.
It was eventually bowled out for 126 in the 46th over.
Madushanka Ekanayaka took 4-27 for the Lions, while Ben Longhurst and Chamika Sattambi took two wickets each.
It left the Lions needing 125 in their second innings for victory.
While they were in trouble at 4-24, and a reverse outright now a chance, the Lions were able to steady.
They managed to get the runs in just 27.3 overs, finishing 5-125.
Drew Locke top scored with 61 not out, off 80 balls.
Lions coach Dilan Chandima said it was nice to finally be able to put a performance like that together.’
“It’s been a long wait,” he said. “It’s a pretty good win.
“Our bowling line up bowled really well and fought together as a team.”
Chandima said consistency had been the biggest them this season, both with personnel and performances.
He said at times their performances, his included, hadn’t been where they needed them to be.
“My form hadn’t been great until the last three weeks and that [now he’s starting to find some] helps with the batting.
“We haven’t been consistent through the year, that is the main thing that has happened for us this year.
“We had a really good game and did the basics well and we want to do that for the last three games.”
The Lions now sit in sixth spot, 14 points outside the top four.
It means they will need results to go their way if they are to play finals.
“We’ve got a slight chance to make finals,” Chandima said. “We’re going to put all our effort into making finals.”
In the Lions next clash, they host Brown Hill in a two-day match starting on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Bacchus Marsh avoided an outright loss to Mt Clear.
Mt Clear made 253 on day one of the match.
The Bulls were bowled out for 101 in just 43.1 overs, in an innings littered with low scores, with no one reaching 20.
They were sent back out by Mt Clear as it went in search of the whole 10 points.
The Bulls were able to hold on despite some nervous moments and being 5-42, to finish 6-104.
James Lidgett top scored with 41 not out off 100 balls as he looked to occupy the crease.
The Bulls drop to seventh spot.
